Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has called for retrospective action from the SPFL against Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers for his conduct during extra time in the match against Rangers.
Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers was booked early in extra time after a late challenge on Carter-Vickers, which Hackett described as reckless and deserving of a yellow card. However, he accused the USA international of overreacting to the foul, suggesting he exaggerated the impact by dramatically throwing himself into the air and clutching his foot, seemingly in an attempt to influence referee John Beaton into issuing a red card.
“It was a reckless challenge, and Dessers rightly received a yellow card,” Hackett told Ibrox News. “The reaction by Carter-Vickers was exaggerated, and I suspect he was trying to deceive the referee into upgrading to a red card. It was not serious foul play, so the yellow card was the correct decision. Attempts to deceive referees like this should be reviewed post-match by a special panel for potential retrospective action.”
The match ended in a 3-3 draw after extra time, with Rangers eventually losing on penalties.
Hackett’s comments echo the sentiments of others, including former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who described Dessers’ challenge as an “old-fashioned striker’s tackle.” Dessers, eager to make an immediate impact after being substituted on, was fortunate to avoid further incidents that could have resulted in a second booking.
Carter-Vickers’ exaggerated reaction has drawn criticism, with many labeling it as unnecessary and unsportsmanlike. Critics have pointed out that such behavior is common across teams, with Celtic fans quick to criticize similar antics from Rangers’ Todd Cantwell.
Hackett and others have urged referees and football associations to take a firmer stance against simulation and exaggeration, advocating for retrospective action to curb this behavior and uphold the integrity of the game.
